Holiday Spirit

ISSUE: Christmas Day 2007 arrives.

December 25, 2007

Christians today will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the way it ought to be celebrated - with reflection, good will and hope.

Churches will be packed, choirs will sing, and clergy and parishioners will pray for peace and enlightenment in our communities and the world beyond. Many others will simply spend the day with family and friends. Either way, what makes this holiday most meaningful for the devout is the opportunity to gather with loved ones to worship, and to pledge peace and good will to all.

What Christmas is not is a holiday that needs to compete for attention, especially among displays at the local mall, regardless of what some insist. Thankfully, South Florida this year was spared, for the most part, the kind of silly but divisive public rancor that has marked past holiday seasons.

Yes, there was the occasional flap over whether someone was greeted with "Merry Christmas," or not. It was sad to see teens in one community prodded to join the verbal crusade against "secularism." And there was the tired dispute over a nativity scene at the local mall. Ho-hum.

If you don't think Christmas is important, or that it is being properly observed, take a look at South Florida's streets today. They will be quiet. No rush hour. Malls are closed, as are government offices and most business establishments. Those who observe Christmas will do so, and those that don't will search for something - anything - to do.

So, this Christmas Day let's worry less about who says this, or who doesn't believe that, or who is offended by what.

The core Christmas message is universal. Treat people with compassion, dignity and respect, regardless of circumstances, and the world will be a better place.